STATEMENT BY CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ERNESTO BUTCHER
ON PORT AUTHORITY COORDINATION WITH NEW YORK CITY
ON POSSIBLE TRANSIT STRIKE

The Port Authority is working closely with New York City officials to support their contingency plans in the event of a New York City transit strike.

To assist commuters traveling within Manhattan, the Port Authority’s PATH rapid-transit system will operate shuttle service between 33rd Street and the World Trade Center, with stops at the Pavonia/Newport and Exchange Place stations in Jersey City. This service will operate Monday thru Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. with trains every seven minutes during the morning and evening rush hours. Travelers are strongly urged to buy QuickCards or New York City Transit pay-per-ride MetroCards in advance to reduce delays at the fare turnstiles.

As requested by the City of New York, Port Authority and New York City Police will strictly enforce high-occupancy-vehicle requirements at the Holland and Lincoln tunnels on weekdays from 5 to 11 a.m. During those hours, automobile access into Manhattan south of 96th Street will be restricted to vehicles with four or more occupants, and commercial vehicle traffic will be banned. The only vehicles exempt from high-occupancy-vehicle requirements are emergency vehicles, buses, motorcycles and paratransit vehicles. There will be no new restrictions at the George Washington Bridge.

Message signs on approach roads to the three crossings will alert travelers to the restrictions, and additional Port Authority staff will be available to ensure traffic mobility. If bus traffic increases, the Express Bus Lane into the Lincoln Tunnel may be opened earlier than the normal 6:15 a.m. and remain open longer.

The Port Authority strongly urges travelers who cannot carpool into Manhattan to use existing train, bus or ferry services.

The Port Authority will provide updates as often as possible regarding service changes and activity at its facilities.